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Mar. 13, 1923.

G. P. BOSWORTH STITCH LENGTH CONTROLLING MEJHAIHSM FTR KNITTING MAQHLNES Filed Der. 20,

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5. P. BOSWORTH TITCH LENGTH CONTROLLING MECHANISM FOR KNITTING MACHINES 5 sheets-sheet Filii'd Draw, 2U, 19

Patented Mar. 13, 1923.

UNITED STATES 1,448,653 PATENT OFFICE.

GEORGE P. BOSWORTH, OF CENTRAL FALLS. RHODE ISLAND. ASSIGNOR TO HEMPHILL COMPANY, OF PAWTUGKET, RHODE ISLAND, A CORPORATION OF MASSACHUSETTS.

STITCH-LENGTH-CONTROLLING MECHANISM FOR KNITTING MACHINES.

Application filed December 20, 1918.

To all Itld/HH- if mu concern lie it known that I. (inonon l. lioswon'rlr, a citizen of the United States. and a resident of (entral Falls. in the county of Providence and State of Rhode Island. have invented an Improvement in StitclnLength- (ontrolling Mechanism for Knitting Machines, of which the following description, in connection with the accompanying draw ings. is a specification. like characters on the drawings representing like parts.

This invention relates to knitting machines and more particularly to means For controlling. changing or varying the efi'ective length of the stitches for any purpose. as. for example, for the purpose of permitting the introduction of a splicing or reinforcing thread or fol-permitting the efl'ective suhstitution of a heavier thread. or for shaping the article which may he a knitted fabric. of any type or description. llerein l have disclosed my invention in connection with the knitting of hosiery. but obviously my invention is not limited thereto.

In order that the principle of the invention may readily he understood, I have dis closed asingle embodiment thereof in the accompanying drawings. wherein Fig. 1 is an end elevation of a knitting machine having my invention applied thereto:

Fig. 2 is a rear elevation of said machine;

Fig. 3 is a plan view of the machine shown in Figs. 1 and 2;

Fig. l is a front elevation of the upper part of a knitting machine embodying my invention; and

Figs. 5 and 6 are plan views respectively showing the formation of loops of normal length. and the formation of enlarged loops permitting the introduction of a splicing thread.

lt is desirable to change or vary the length of the knitted loops or stitches for various purposes. certain of which I have above referred to. My invention is not limited in its application to any of said purposes or uses. but herein for purposes of illustration I have disclosed my invention as employed primarily to facilitate the introduction of a splicing thread as, for example. a high splicing thread above the heel of a stocking. as

well as a reinforcing thread for of the foot. 7

My invention may be embodied in arious Serial No. 267.707.

types of knitting machines. whether straight or circular and whether the needles he of a spring heard or latch type. I have herein represented my invention as embodied in a circular knitting machine wherein the needles are of the spring beard type and are carried hy a needle cylinder to which move ments of rotation and reciprocation are given in the well known manner to etl'ect the fornnltion o't' hosiery. Obviously the inven-- tion may be embodied in the knitting of hand coverings or underwear. 7

Referring more prticularly to the draw ings, the frame of the machine is indicated at 1. Therein is mounted the usual drive shaft 2 having fast thereon a pinion 3 meshing with a. gear 4 upon the shaft 5 which also has fast thereon a cam plate or disk 6 having elevations T'and depressions B of anv suitable number and herein tour of each. because of the timing hetween the cam plate and the head. The drive shaft 2 is provided with the usual pulleys t), 1U. 11. which may be respectively high speed, low speed and loose.

The knitting machine is provided with the usual needle cylinder 12 wherein are mount ed the needles 13 herein represented as spring beard needles. The needles are vertically reciprocated in their grooves by a. cam ring:- 13 carrying cams I3 oi any suitable type. as for example. of the general character shown in the patent to llemphili'. No. 933.443. The said cam ring carried b cam plat 14- which is supported by npri rods or memhers 15. one of which is indi cated in Fig. 1 and which is operativcly associated with the cams upon the can: shaft so that the vertical position of the rain ring: may be varied in order to vary the length of the stitches. In the disclosed embodiment of my invention. movements of rot-:- tion and rtwiprocation are imparted to th needle cylinder. but my invention equnii v applicable to a construction wherein the needle carrier or cylinder is held stationary and the cam carrier or ring is rotated and reciprocated.

Upwardly extending from the bed 16 of the machine is a fixed post or abutment 1? upon the upper end of which is pivoted in any suitahle manner a so-called latch ring or guard 18 which herein is represented as par tially surrounding the circle of needles.- Obviously a complete latch or guard ring of any other suitable character may be employed.

Operatively related to the needle cylinder 12 is a sinker cam ring 19 of suitable character surrounding sinkers of any suitable type and mounted for radial movement in the upper edge of the needle cylinder. These sinkers are adapted to be moved. radially by cams of any suitable character. as. for example. by the cams 31, 23. 2t. shown in Figs. 5 and 6, for the purpose of engaging the thread between its points of engagement by the needles and thus to cooperate with the needles in the formation of the loops or stitches.

The said sinker cam ring 19 rests loosely upon or about the upper end of the needle cylinder and is held from rotation with the needle cylinder and its needles and sinkers in any suitable manner, as, for example by means of adjustable screws or stops 25, 26, tapped into ears or lugs 27, 28, carried by or formed upon the cam ring. Said ears or lugs :27. w are spaced apart somewhat more widely than the width of the post 17 carrying the latch or guard ring 18, thus permitting a certain extent of lost motion between the needle cylinder and the sinker cam ring. This los t motion is preferably provided, to permit the proper positioning of the cams of the sinker ring with respect to the cams of the cam ring, that is. with respect to the knitting wave. of the knitting needles in a manner well known and not herein necessary fully to describe.

lh fcrring to Fig. 5, it is to be understood that the needle cylinder is rotating in a wntraclrwkwise direction, and that therefore the sinker cams remain inactive until in the rotation of the needle cylinder the sinker taiil ring has been carried trite tionally in the direction of the arrow until the screw 26 engages the post 17, whereupon the movement of the sinker cam ring ceases and thereupon the siukers 20 are moved in and out or radially in the customary manner in cooperation with the knitting wave of the knitting needles.

Preferably the, machine is provided with a shaft 25) which may have mounted thereon one or more pattern or cam drums not herein necessary to refer to, and which in this embodiment of my invention also has fast thereon a pattern disk or drum haw ing the elevations 31, 32 functioning during the formation of the leg and the heel of the stocking. and the spaces 2B3. 34 respectively controlling the formation of the socalled high splice and the formation of the double sole.

The knitting machine is provided with any suitable character of yarn or thread suppiyihg devices. Herein and referring more particularly to Fig. 3, I have represented yarn controlling levers 35, 36, 37,

38. 39 respectively supplying yarn for the high splice, the heel and toe. the so-callcd boot of the stocking. the upper part of the leg of the stocking. and the introduction of a plating thread. The said levers are mounted in any suitable manner. as, for ex ample, upon a pin 41). shown most clearly in Figs. 3 and 4 in suitable bearings extending upward from the right hand end of the latch ring. and which may be of the general character disclosed in the said Hemphill Patent No. 933,443. Zach of said. levers is provided with an outwardly extending toe, one of which is indicated at 42 in Fig. 4. and with which preferably co operate suitable means tending norma ly to move such lever downwardly into yarn feeding osition. that is. into the lowermost position indicated in Fig. 4. Herein for the purpose I have represented a series of levers indicated at 43. 44. 45, 4(5. 47, pivoted upon the pin 48 in ears 4!) upon an upright 41, said levers having tapered or wedge shaped inner ends 50 adapted respectively to take under the respective thread or yarn guides or levers and to move. the same downwardly into knitting position under the force of the springs 51 respectively connected to said levers 4-3--l7, and to suitable pins 52 carried by said upright 41. In this or in any other suitable manner, each yarn lever is moved downwardly into action by its spring at, but is moved upwardly out of action in a'ny' suitable manner. as, for example, by the means shown in the said Hcmphill Patent No. 933.443. and in the llemphill Patent No. 934.909. such means being herein typified by levers. one of which is indicated at 53 in Fig. 4 as pivoted upon a pin 54 in said upright 41 and having connected thereto suitable wires or rods 55, extending downwardly into operative relation to a suitable cam or pattern drum upon the cam shaft 29 in a manner not herein necessary more fully to describe.

In accordance with my invention and especially the particular embodiment thereof herein represented. l have provided means whereby the circumferential relation of the sinker cams and therefore the radial position of the sinkcrs at the effective point of the knitting wave, that is to say, at the point where the yarn is taken by the descending needles, may be varied or changed for any suitable purpose, but especially for the urpose of permitting the intrmluction of a splicing or reinforcing thread when and where the stitches are lengthened. While for this purpose any suitable means may be provided, I have herein represented the lug or car 28 as having tapped thercinto an adjustable screw 511 shown most clearly in Figs. 2 and 6, and with which is adapted to cooperate an. abutment here shown as a cam 57 upon a lever arm 58 pivoted at 59 upon the post 17 as clearly indicated in Figs. 2 and 6. To the arm 60 of said lever is pivoted at 61 a link 62. to the lower end of which is pivoted at 63 a lever arm 64 fast upon a shaft 65. itself mounted in bearings 66 and 67 carried by a bracket 68 secured to the upright 69 of the machine. Also fast upon the shaft is a lever arm 70 which extends downward into the vicinity of the cam plate or disk 6 asimost clearly shown in Fig. 1 and as having a head or roll 71 adapted for engagement with the periphery of the said cam plate and to ride upon the elevations 7 thereof or to enter the depressions 8 between said elevations. Assuming that the said lever arm 70 with the roll 71 is permitted freely to ride upon the periphery of the cam plate or disk 6, it will be evident'that when.

the roll 71 enters one of the deptessions 8 the link 62 and the lever arm 60 will be moved upward viewing Fig. 1, and that the cam 57 will be moved ifito the ath of the supplemental screw or st p56. Vhen however, said roll 71 rides u on one of the elevations 7, then the cam 5 will be withdrawn from the path of the screw or stop 56.

| Vhen the cam 57 is positioned in the path of the screw or stop 56 as indicated in Fig. 6, then in the rotation of the needle cylinder in a contraclockwise direction, viewing Fig. 6 the sinker cam ring will engage with the post 17 (or rather with the cam 57 upon said post 17) at an earlier period in the rotation of the needle cylinder than occurs when said cam 57 is positioned as shownin Fig. 5 out of the path of the screw or stop 56. The consequence therefore is that the movement of the sinker cam ring with the needle cylinder is stopped or prevented at an earlier period and therefore the sinkers 20 are moved in radially to a greater extent at the needle which is depressed to the greatest extent in the formation of the knitting wave, the position of which needle substantially coincides with the radial line 72 in Fig. 6, said lowermost needle being the needle to the left or to the right of said line 72. Viewing Fig. 6. the position of the sinker at the line 72 and the two or more sinkers to the right of said line looking inward toward the centre of the needle: cylinder is advanced inward radially to a greater extent than would be the case of the said sinkers were the cam 57 not in operative position with relation to the screw or stop 56 as explained. The efl'ect, therefore. is to draw more yarn between the needles where the yarn is taken by the needles and therefore to increase the length of the stitches which in this application of my invention is particularly intended to permit the introduction of a reenforcing or Strengthening thread.

I have stated that my invention while of general application is particularly adapted yarn lever from action during a part of the knitting of each course of a series of courses, either with or without severing the yarn as it is withdrawn. The valn may be severed when withdrawn uni again where introduced 01' it may be floated at both the points ()fintroduclion and withdrawal. to be afterwards sevez'd, or in any suitable manner the yarn may be manipulated so as to be knitted into each of a series of courses 5 throughout a part only of each of said courses.

In Fig. '4, I have represented the high splice yarn lever 35 in its lowermost or knitting position, and also in said figure. I have represented an intermediate position of a. yarn guide 36 this corresponding to the position that will be occupied by the high splice yarn lever 35 during those portions of said courses when theyarn is not being introduced. but has been severed or is being floated. I have also in said figure indicated a yarn guide 39 in its uppermost position, this corresponding to the position that will be occupied by the high splice yarn lever when said high spliceyarn lever is wholly out of action.

Although I have referred specifically to the high splice yarn lever 35, it will be understood that said lever also controls the introduction of yarn for the bottom of the foot, or that a separate lever may be provided for such purpose.

In order to move said yarn lever 35 from its lowermost or active position shown in Fig. 4. to its momentarily inactive intermediate position indicated by the )osition of the yarn guide 36 in said figure. may provide any suitable means. Herein for the purpose I have provided the needle cylinder 12 with a cam 73 shown most clearly in Fig. 4 and having an inclined edge 74. In the movement of rotation of said needle cylinder said cam 73 engages with and depresses a lever arm 75 which is pivoted at 76 upon the upright 41 and is )rovided with an arm 7 7, the end 78 whereoi takes under the face or shoulder 79 upon the corresponding lever 53 so as to elevate the same slightly and thereby to lift the high splice yarn lever 35 into its intermediate position. It is evident that the supplementary means thus provided for elevating the high splice yarn lever into its intermediate position does not interfere with the subsequent elevation of said high splice varn lever 2%.; to its highest point through the aetion of its ronnerting rod or wire 55, i

Preferably I provide means whereby the ram 37 is held out of aetion. that is. out. of the path of the serew or stop 56. exeepting during the formation of the high split-e and the double sole, For this purpose any suitable means may he provided. llerein in cooperation with the ram disk and its earns 31. 32 and spares 33. H. l have provided a lever T4 pivoted at and having an arm 76', the end Ti" whereof is adapted to ride upon said elevations 31. 32 or to enter said spares 253. 34. The opposite arm 78' of said lever. normally held elevated by spring 73''. has pivotally eonneeted thereto at Ti) :1 link or rod Ml]. the upper end of whieh is provided with a slot 80. and is pivotally eonnerted at 81 to a lever arm H2 also fast upon said shaft 65. Said shaft 65 also has fast thereon a lever arm 83. to whirls is eonneeted :1 coil spring 84. the lower end of which is eonnected to a pin 85 extending from the support 86 of the rod 15. The corn struetion is sum-h that when the end 77' of the. lever 74' rides upon either of the projeetions 31. 32. then the'link or rod 80 is moved downward. thereby swinging upwardly the lever arm 83 and roeking the shaft 65 eontrueloekwise so as to elevate the roll 71 of the lever arm 70 entirely out of the path of rotation of the cam plate or disk t.

"hen. however, the end 77 of the lever 74 enters one of the depressions 33. 34. the roll 71 is depressed into the path of the periphery of the cam disk or plate 6.

Thus. in the present embodiment of my invention, it is only during the formation of the high splice or the double sole that the ram 57 is moved into the path of the screw or stop 56.

It will be understood that in the disclosed embodiment of my invention, the stitches are lengthened throughout partial eourses only, as. for example. in the high s'pliee and in the sole of the foot. in the remaining half or portion of each of these eourses the stitehes are of normal length. ()bviouslv within the seope of my invention the length of the stitrhes may be varied. as by inereasing them throughout an entire rourse or any number of entire eonrses.

lt will be evident from the foregoing de srription that in the diselosed embodiment of my invention. I haveTepresented one .form of means for governing or varying the Slilt'll length. and more espeeially for the purpose of permitting the etlertive introdurtion of a splieing or reenforcing' thread.

Having thus deseribed one illustrative embodiment of my invention. I desire it to he understood that although speeifie terms are employed. they are used in a geoerie and desc-riptive sense and not in) purposes of limitation. the scope of the invention lu-ihgi set forth in the foilowing claims.

tlaims:

l. A rireular hnitiing mm-hine having a needle vlinder. n eirrulal set oi needles. sinker ram rin; and a l'ii' i liii' set of like sinkers. a set of sinher rams. fitljil of Wliltfii is adapted to art upon all the mam-s. means eooplluting with suid abutment and the sinker ram ring to vary th ir-"inni'eri-ntiui position of the sinker i-ams. there-h to vary the radial position of the sinliers :zt sulr stantiall) the point of deepest depression ol' the knitting wave. 2: id means to ilitrrnilire u splieing yarn at those points when: the stiteh length is iui-reased hy the said ait n oi' the sinkers.

J. i\ eirrular knitting naavhinr having :1. rotary needle rvlinder. a vir uiar wiiw. oi needles. an upright post. a sinker with ring; havin; spared lugs adapted tor niternatu engagement; with suid post to change the relative eirrumferential position id the inl er cams and the knitting rams. a set of mule-r rams. a eircular set of sinliers nil adapted to be neted upon by the sinker rams. an abut ment adapted to be interposed at u {are oi the post for engagement with one of said lugs. thereln lu \nry the radial posiizon of the sinkeis at substantially the deepest depressionot' the knitting name and means to introduee a reinf rcing thread at those points where the stitrh length is inereased by the aetion of the sinkers.

3. A rircular ltnittin; nun-blue lilnlilgfmi needle cylinder. a eiri-ular series of nwedn-s. a sinker cam ring having spared lugs, a iu tionary post between said lugs and adapted to he engaged by either of than. u so: ii sinker cams. a circular set of fi-illiw .1 adapted to be aeted upon 3: Stud earns, an abutm nt. adopted to he in periodieally between one of said ugs and said post. and m ans to i-ontroi iiu- Ellli'ihl it v oi insertion of said alumn -rd.

4. A eirrnlur knitting nuu-hine hating: a needle rylinder. a virl-olar series of |n-edi--.-- a sinker ram rin; having spar d lugs. a stationary post between said hint and adapted to be engaged by rillnr i them. it set olsinker rams. a liE HliU' et oi winiwi' all adapted t be dried lipmi h aszi angler rams. an abutment adapted to periodirnllv brtnern one oi Mild lq said post. and rotary ram means mix; rontroi the periodieit of inwrtion of said abutment. whereby the siitrh length uni be increased by the sinker :u-tion at predetee mined times.

5, eirrular knitting marhinei-onipi'isiiw a rotor) needle e'jiliinh' r. a series of ,Mlt ilh.

pond o5 an upright stationary post in pimx riisy to the needle eylinder. a sink r ruin n; inn

ing spaced lugs between which the post is received. a set of sinker cams. a circular set of sinkers all adapted to be acted on by said sinker cams. a cam adapted to be positioned between the post and one of said lugs to vary the radial position of the sinkers at substantially the point of deepest depression of the knitting wave. a lever to operate said cam together with means to intro duce a reinforcing yarn at those points where the stitch length is increased by the action of the sinkers.

(3. A circular hosiery knitting machine having a needle cylinder. a circular series of needles. a fixed abutment. a sinker cam ring having a circular set of like sinkers. a set of sinker cams each adapted to act upon all of the sinkers. means cooperating with said abutment and the sinker cam ring and adapted periodically to be positioned to change the radial position of the sinkersi thereby to vary the stitch length. a splicing yarn guide. a cam shaft having cam t'orma tions thereon determining the position of said periodically positioned means at the formation of the leg. the high splice. the heel and the double sole. and operative (01b nections between said cam t'ormations and said periodically positioned means.

7. A circular knitting machine having a rotary needle cylinder. a circular series of needles. a stationary upright post adjacent said needle cylinder. at sinker cam ring having spaced lugs each adapted to engage said post to change the relative position of the sinker cams and the knitting cams. a set of sinker cams. a circular set of sinkers all adapted to be acted upon by said sinker cams. and means to vary bodily the circular position of the sinker cams relative to the knitting cams. thereby to vary the radial position of the sinkers at substantially the point of deepest depression of the knitting wave, said means comprising a cam. and

means periodically to insert the same between said post and one of said lugs.

S. circular knitting machine having a rotary needle cylinder. a circular series of needles. a stationary upright post adjacent said needle cylinder. at sinker cam ring having spaced lugs each adapted to engage said post to change the relative position of the sinker cams and the knitting cams. a set of sinker cams. a circular set of sinkers all adapted to be acted upon by said sinker cams. and means to vary bodily the circular iosition of the sinker cams relative to the knitting cams. thereby to vary the radial position of the sinkers at substantially the point of deepest depression of the knitting wave. said means comprising a cam adapted to he inserted between said post and one of said lugs. a cam shaft. and cam means thereon for determining the position of said cam to be inserted betweu said post and said lug.

Sl. circular knitting machine having a rotary needle cylinder. a circular series of needles. a stationary upright post adjacent said needle cylinder. at sinker cam ring having spaced lugs each adapted to engage said post to change the relative position of the sinki"- cams and the knitting can is. a set of sinker cams a circular set of sinkers all adapted to be acted upon by said sinker cams. and means to vary bodily the cireula r position ol the sinker cams relative to the knitting cams. thereby to vary the radial position of the sinkcrs at substantiallv the point of deepest depression of the knitting are. said means comprising a cam adapted to be inserted between -said post and one of said lugs. a lever carrying said cam. and pattern controlled means for determining the position of said lever.

in testimony \vhereol l have signed my name to this s ie ification. I

(ilCURtili l. HUSWUlt'l'll.

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